Sodium picosulfate

Sodium picosulfate

Clinical data
AHFS/Drugs.com	International Drug Names
Routes of administration	Oral
ATC code	A06AB08 (WHO) A06AB58 (WHO) (combinations)
Identifiers
IUPAC name disodium (pyridin-2-ylmethylene)di-4,1-phenylene disulfate
CAS Number	10040-45-6 N
PubChem CID	68654
ChemSpider	61910 Y
UNII	LR57574HN8
ECHA InfoCard	100.030.097
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C18H13NNa2O8S2
Molar mass	481.409 g/mol
3D model (Jmol)	Interactive image
SMILES [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)(=O)Oc1ccc(cc1)C(c2ccc(OS([O-])(=O)=O)cc2)c3ncccc3
InChI InChI=1S/C18H15NO8S2.2Na/c20-28(21,22)26-15-8-4-13(5-9-15)18(17-3-1-2-12-19-17)14-6-10-16(11-7-14)27-29(23,24)25;;/h1-12,18H,(H,20,21,22)(H,23,24,25);;/q;2*+1/p-2 Y Key:GOZDTZWAMGHLDY-UHFFFAOYSA-L Y
NY (what is this?)

Sodium picosulfate (INN, also known as sodium picosulphate) is a contact stimulant laxative used as a treatment for constipation or to prepare the large bowel before colonoscopy or surgery. It is sold under the trade names Sodipic Picofast, Laxoberal, Laxoberon,Purg-Odan, Picolax, Guttalax, Namilax, Pico-Salax,PicoPrep, and Prepopik, among others.

Orally administered sodium picosulfate is generally used for thorough evacuation of the bowel, usually for patients who are preparing to undergo a colonoscopy. It takes 12–24 hours to work, since it works in the colon.

The most common side effects of picosulfate are abdominal cramps and diarrhea.

The use of sodium picosulfate has also been associated with certain electrolyte disturbances, such as hyponatremia and hypokalemia. Patients are often required to drink large amounts of clear fluids as well as rehydrate to reestablish the electrolyte balance.

Sodium picosulfate is a prodrug. It has no significant direct physiological effect on the intestine; however, it is metabolised by gut bacteria into the active compound 4,4'-dihydroxydiphenyl-(2-pyridiyl)methane (DPM, BPHM). This compound is a stimulant laxative and increases peristalsis in the gut.

Sodium picosulfate is typically prescribed in a combined formulation with magnesium citrate, an osmotic laxative. This combination is a highly effective laxative, often prescribed to patients for bowel cleansing prior to colonoscopies.